Marsh founded Jigsaw Fitness which develops and supplies equipment to the likes of Fitness First gyms and also specialist equipments to Wigan Warriors rugby league side.

Marsh puts students through their paces on how he’s grown his business Pic: Dawood Fard gives students insight into how his Preston firm went global Pic: Dhanesh Rathod

Centurus is founded by Fard and is an international student application system for universities and colleges.

He has grown his business to see his system used by 160 UK universities and colleges and nearly 1,000 international agencies. More than 30,000 international students apply to study in the UK through his system each year.

Fard said: “It was a pleasure to meet and speak with students at Preston’s College and share my story. It’s inspiring to see such a diverse and creative set of students ready to explore their next steps after College.

“Enterprise is vital for all career minded individuals in this competitive environment, whether they are to work and add value to an organisation or set up themselves.”

Both Fard and Marsh studied at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.

Mandy Parkinson, enterprise and commercial manager at the college, said: “The idea of these events is to inspire and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs here at Preston’s College, and communicate to our students that their ambitions are in reach. That’s why it’s important to introduce learners to people like Dawood and Sam as real, tangible examples of young, local people who have turned their aspirations into reality.”

One of the students who listened to the talks, Keddy Banda, said: “It was really good to get the opportunity to listen to the experiences of someone like Dawood who is young but have made a successful business. It helps us to add context to what we learn in class and realise the potential of what can be achieved if you work hard and have a good idea and business brain.

“Dawood and Sam have done amazingly well and I took on board all the advice as it will be invaluable for the future.”

Did you hear the talk? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below